Quiz - Supersonic flight

paulb · Post by **paulb** » 02 May 2006, 13:55

Hi Chaps

The supersonic thread has got me interested.............

So here is a quiz -

What were the first three (different) British aircraft to achieve in excess of Mach 1 (and I dont mean in level flight) and when?

Best regards

Paul

anzaq · Post by **anzaq** » 02 May 2006, 14:40

Well I don't know as yet which other aircraft achieved supersonic flight but I believe that the DH108 Swallow was the first British aircraft to achieve mach 1 in a dive in 1948. Feel free to correct me if wrong.

Gordon

Dyl Roberts · Post by **Dyl Roberts** » 02 May 2006, 17:07

Not too sure about the three, but I did watch a documentary about how they kept loosing Spitfires during WWII due to controll restriction of supersonic flight, so I'd say the spit would be one of the first, as they were going supersonic unknowingly.

No Idea about the rest though :think:

Motormouse · Post by **Motormouse** » 02 May 2006, 17:25

I think,

Dh 108, Sept 1948, Pilot ,John Derry

Dh 110 and Supermarine Swift,sorry don't know when for these two!

ttfn

Pete

Sl4yer · Post by **Sl4yer** » 02 May 2006, 17:26

Dyl Roberts wrote:Not too sure about the three, but I did watch a documentary about how they kept loosing Spitfires during WWII due to controll restriction of supersonic flight, so I'd say the spit would be one of the first, as they were going supersonic unknowingly.

A Spitfire, or any other WW2 aircraft, couldn't actually get anywhere near to Mach 1. However, the control problems associated with 'compressibility' led some pilots to believe that they were.

If the DH108 was the first, I'd bet the Hunter is one of the top 3. As for the other, Supermarine Swift maybe? :think:

James

Vixus · Post by **Vixus** » 02 May 2006, 18:02

The Spitfire reached Mach 0.92 in a dive, the fastest ever in a prop aircraft. There were stories of control reversal due to supersonic speeds though.

Dyl Roberts · Post by **Dyl Roberts** » 02 May 2006, 18:10

Sl4yerA wrote: Spitfire, or any other WW2 aircraft, couldn't actually get anywhere near to Mach 1. However, the control problems associated with 'compressibility' led some pilots to believe that they were.

Ah, I thought they had gone supersonic, oh well, you learn something new every day

migman29 · Post by **migman29** » 02 May 2006, 18:26

Vixus wrote:The Spitfire reached Mach 0.92 in a dive, the fastest ever in a prop aircraft. There were stories of control reversal due to supersonic speeds though.

Correct.It was one of the 60 series powered Merlin Spits too.

The prop and gearbox were ripped off and a successful "dead-stick"
landing made.
Can't remember who the pilot was but I'll try and find out.

*Addition*

Summer 1943,Spit PRIX flown by Sqn Ldr James Tobin,recorded Mach 0.92(650 TAS) between 25000' and 30000'.
Prior to that Phil Lucas touched 575mph(0.76) during a full throttle dive
at 20000' in the prototype Tempest.
Mark :-({|=

Post by **Bridon Bear** » 02 May 2006, 18:38

Back to the original question...in level flight...

I think it was maybe:

1. EE Lightning P1A WG760 on 11th August 1954
2. Fairey FD2 WG774 on 28th October 1955
3. SR53 XD145 in early May 1957

Not 100% on these but pretty confident :roll:

Regards.

Bridon Bear

migman29 · Post by **migman29** » 02 May 2006, 18:41

I think you're about right there Bridon for level flight.

But I thought he said in a dive..........................

Mark :-({|=